he old lady,
who, at that time, was lying sorely wounded on her bed. I opened it
hastily, took out what I was directed to take by a note within, then
closed the safe again."

"But the safe was not empty?"

"No, I think I can go so far as to say that there appeared, as well as
I recollect from the hasty glance I had, to be other documents and
parcels behind those which I took away."

"Very good," Don Juan replied; "now tell me something more. In whose
charge is that house in the street of Monmouth. Do you happen to know?"

"When I left Bath," I replied, "the house was in charge of a sergeant
of police and his wife; they were caretakers."

"Very good, very good indeed," answered the old man, apparently much
relieved; "now tell me one thing more. When does the ship by which you
came return to England?"

"The _Oceana_ returns in about a fortnight's time."

"Do you think now, if I used my best endeavours to make that fortnight
very agreeable to you, and to show you during that time more, perhaps,
than you would see of Aquazilia in a month in the ordinary way, that I
could induce you to return to England with me by that ship?"

At first I thought that by agreeing with his request I should be
leaving Dolores behind, then I remembered that I could induce him
perhaps to take her with him.

I hesitated for a time and he pressed me.

"Come, now, Mr. Anstruther," he said, "give me your answer."

"I am perfectly certain," I said hesitatingly, for I was not going to
give myself away, "that you will make our stay delightful, but I think,
before I answer, I had better let you into a little secret.

"I happen to know that my cousin, Lord St. Nivel, and his sister, Lady
Ethel Vanborough, intend asking you and Donna Dolores to spend some
time with them in England. Could you not make this visit answer both
purposes?"

"That would necessitate my taking my daughter with me," he said rather
dubiously; then a light seemed to break in upon him, and a smile
hovered about his lips to which the colour was just returning.

"Should my daughter have no objection," he replied guardedly, "I see no
reason why she should not accompany us."

I know my face lighted up with pleasure. I could not control it.

"We shall spend Christmas with you," I said cheerfully at last, "at any
rate, and Christmas in Valoro will be a great novelty both to my
cousins and myself, I have no doubt."

"Christmas and the New Year are the gayest times w